Hyundai Kansas City
A mashup version of the Kansas City skyline figures prominently in a new Hyundai commercial.

Hyundai Uses Downtown Kansas City Skyline in National Commercial–Sort of

July 26, 2017  |    |  1 min read

 

In a weird mash-up, Hyundai is using the Kansas City skyline, with a few more buildings thrown in for good measure, in a national television commercial for its Sonata model.

The spot opens with heavy freeway traffic in the foreground but there’s no mistaking the core downtown skyline in the background: One Kansas City Place, the Town Pavilion, the Power & Light building, 1201 Walnut and Commerce Tower.

But it’s obviously a photo montage because several other high-rise buildings have been added to make the skyline more dramatic and when the ad jumps to the cars themselves, they have California license plates.

As for the drivers, they’re all singing heartily along to “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. The theme of the spot is “Happy Drivers Make Better Drivers.”

Well, it also made a few Kansas Citians happy to see their city spotlighted nationally–sort of.

Tags:

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Roads, Bathrooms, Costco and More …

By | February 16, 2026

New Toll Road Opens Kansas City’s first toll road opens this week. Starting Saturday, you’ll pay up to $3.50 to travel the new express lanes on U.S. Highway 69 from 103rd to 151st streets in Overland Park. There are no toll booths — cameras scan your license plate, and a bill arrives by mail. KTAG…

Related Stories

Nick’s Picks | Roads, Bathrooms, Costco and More …

By | February 16, 2026

New Toll Road Opens Kansas City’s first toll road opens this week. Starting Saturday, you’ll pay up to $3.50 to travel the new express lanes on U.S. Highway 69 from 103rd to 151st streets in Overland Park. There are no toll booths — cameras scan your license plate, and a bill arrives by mail. KTAG…

Up From the Ashes: Warwick Theatre Revival Draws Applause

By | February 11, 2026

Two years ago, John Cleary met a fellow Kansas City actor for drinks. Their conversation centered on the fate of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. A large portion of the ensemble’s home, the Warwick Theatre, was ash, charred timbers and soot-saturated costumes and props — remnants from a recent massive fire. The destruction was so great…

Nick’s Picks | Baseball, Drones, Romance and More …

By | February 9, 2026

Royals Reveal Next week, the Kansas City Royals head to Arizona for Spring Training. And that’s the mayor’s self-imposed deadline to lock in a stadium deal. So, is this finally the week owner John Sherman steps to the plate and unveils where the Royals will build their next home? At last week’s council meeting, Mayor…